Chapter 5: Settling In

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Luo Hui’an, slender and almost frail, yet quite tall, stood about a step away from Tong Chuxue, the shadow perfectly blocking the light. Tong Chuxue wanted to avoid the shadow, but before she could move, Luo Hui’an suddenly snatched the document from her hand.

Holding the document, Luo Hui’an approached Luo Huize. “Big brother, there are some errors written here.”

Being contradicted by a family member in front of outsiders, Luo Huize frowned and stubbornly denied, “Second brother’s handwriting is hard to read; you must have mistaken it.”

Luo Hui’an shook his head and pointed to a sentence, “The Luo family rents the old residence for one month, charging five hundred wen in rent. I clearly remember Miss Tong just said it was one hundred wen.”

Luo Huize snatched the paper back, “Second brother, you’re mistaken. I wrote one hundred wen, not five hundred.”

Luo Hui’an remained calm and said lightly, “The sages often say, one should be sincere. Big brother’s skill at calling a deer a horse truly opens my eyes.”

Luo Huize’s face flushed red. Turning, he stood beside Grandmother Luo and said earnestly, “Second brother, I know your health isn’t good, and you’ve always wanted to study. You often come to my room to read, but since you don’t have a teacher guiding you, you might have learned some things wrongly. You must have confused the characters for ‘two’ and ‘five.’”

Grandmother Luo could not bear to see her precious eldest grandson lose face in public, even if the person was another grandson. After all, the eldest was destined to be an official someday. “Hui’an, how can you speak to your brother like that!”

Luo Hui’an appeared unfazed by Grandmother Luo’s defense, as if he had grown used to it. “Grandmother, big brother is a scholar. If he can make such simple errors writing official documents, what would others think? Does the reputation of their academy even matter anymore?”

Reputation was paramount in this era. The academy relied on its reputation to enroll students; if a student caused trouble, the entire academy’s enrollment could suffer. Luo Hui’an’s accusation was a heavy blow, and Luo Huize grew nervous.

“I didn’t write it wrong. Second brother, don’t think just because you’ve read a few books you can dismiss the words of someone like me who attended a proper private school,” Luo Huize retorted.

Luo Hui’an stood like a green pine, seeming out of place in the Luo family’s main hall.

Tong Chuxue looked at Luo Hui’an with gratitude, then spoke, “Actually, this isn’t hard to settle. We could just invite Uncle Li Zheng to ask him directly.”

Upon hearing mention of Li Zheng, Grandmother Luo’s expression changed instantly. “Though Li Zheng’s surname is Tong, he’s not your relative. You can’t just call him over whenever you want! Besides, it’s not a big deal. If you put your thumbprint, that should suffice.”

Grandmother Luo’s reaction only confirmed the document’s problem; there was no way Tong Chuxue would agree.

Page 2 of 3

While they spoke, Xu Jinniang, who had been in the west room, came over. Tong Chuxue had been out all day without returning, and Xu Jinniang was worried. She heard the earlier confrontation as she approached the door.

Grasping Tong Chuxue’s hand, Xu Jinniang whispered, “If it can’t be helped, it can’t be helped. I know there’s an old abandoned house on the west side of the village that no one lives in. Maybe we can stay there for one night.”

At this, Grandmother Luo was resolute. Although one hundred wen was not much, it was better than nothing. The old house was unused and cost nothing—a no-lose deal.

“Xu family girl, that’s a poor thing to say. The third son’s wife has always had a good relationship with you. Now that you’re in trouble, the Luo family should help. We’re all from the same village. Saying that sounds cold.”

Grandmother Luo gave a signal, and Luo Huize put away the document. “I need to go back and study,” he said, then slipped away like oil on the floor.

Tong Chuxue glanced sideways; if Luo Huize could become an official, then even a sow could climb a tree.

Grandmother Luo simply pulled Xu Jinniang close. “I never expected you to live so hard at the Tong family. Now, although life’s a bit tougher for you two alone, it’s freer. Take it slow; you’ll make a good life eventually. Since Snow girl doesn’t trust the eldest’s writing, I’ll have Hui’an rewrite the document for you.”

Xu Jinniang had no opinion to offer. Grandmother Luo’s comforting words mingled with her own sadness. She nodded vaguely.

Luo Hui’an took paper and brush from Luo Huize and drafted a new document.

Tong Chuxue was genuinely surprised. Judging by Luo Huize’s words, Luo Hui’an had never attended a private school, yet his handwriting was no worse than Luo Huize’s.

After finishing, Luo Hui’an read the document aloud to Tong Chuxue.

For some reason, Tong Chuxue found Luo Hui’an trustworthy and without hesitation pressed her thumbprint on the paper. As Luo family’s representative and drafter, Luo Hui’an also stamped his.

Two copies of the document were made, one for Luo Hui’an and one for Tong Chuxue.

Grandmother Luo, seeing the one hundred wen secured, immediately ordered Lin Chunyan to take Tong Chuxue and Xu Jinniang to the old house.

On the way, Luo Hui’an followed, carrying luggage for Tong Chuxue and Xu Jinniang.

Lin Chunyan had worried about letting Luo Hui’an come out given his frail health, but Luo Hui’an insisted. Three women were not safe alone outside; though weak, he was better than being alone.

The Luo family’s main and third branches had always been at odds; Luo Huize naturally would not come out.

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The Luo family’s old residence was somewhat remote, surrounded by only one or two households, and had been unoccupied for some time. Thick layers of dust covered everything.

Xu Jinniang and Tong Chuxue tidied the table and chairs while seeing Luo Hui’an fetching water within the courtyard.

Tong Chuxue had thought Luo Hui’an was as fragile as paper, easily blown over by the wind, but he could indeed handle some chores.

Knowing Luo Hui’an’s weak health, Xu Jinniang felt uneasy. “Auntie can fetch water herself. You’ve done enough bringing us here. How can you trouble yourself with such small tasks?”

After carrying a bucket of water, Luo Hui’an steadily set it down and smiled, “Auntie, I’m fine.”

Lin Chunyan came out and helped explain, “Hui’an is weak and can’t do heavy work, but fetching water is no problem.”

“Thank you, Auntie. Come eat here when you have time,” Xu Jinniang invited.

Luo Hui’an smiled in agreement.

Tong Chuxue noticed Luo Hui’an brought several buckets of water without his face flushing or gasping for breath. His condition was not too bad. With proper care, his health could improve.

After half an hour of busy work, they barely settled in.

It was summer. Though they had no sheets or bedding, a pile of dry grass could suffice for a night.

Night fell.

Xu Jinniang and Tong Chuxue had endured too much today. Only now did Xu Jinniang calm down and, thinking of the future, said, “Chuxue, I’ve thought it over. From tomorrow, I’ll go to town to find work and save a dowry for you.”

Tong Chuxue, having toiled all day and finally found a place to stay, ready to plan her new life, was startled by her mother’s words and refused repeatedly. “Mother, I don’t want to marry now! Really!”

Xu Jinniang smiled gently, thinking her daughter was shy. “Nonsense! What girl doesn’t want to marry? Don’t worry, the Yao family is reasonable. I’ll prepare a bigger dowry so they won’t look down on you.”